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Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain – IHSGB
The Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain
Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain - IHSGB
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  • The Society
    • Trustees
    • Volunteers Opportunities
    • Welfare
    • Board Minutes
    • AGM
    • Member Discounts
    • Weather Lottery
    • Links
    • How Can You Help
  • Icelandic Horses
    • Horses for sale/loan/wanted
    • Equipment for sale
    • Gaits of the Icelandic horse
    • Icelandic Horse Colours
    • Keeping Icelandic horses
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • IHSGB Magazine – Sleipnir
    • Facebook and Members’ Forum
  • Breeding & Studbook
    • Studbook “How To” Guide
    • Using Horse Passports
    • Studbook forms
    • Studbook charges
    • Studbook rules
    • DNA samples & tests
    • Stallions
    • Contact the breeding team
  • Training
    • The |IHSGB Training Bursary
    • Tölt Online
    • Education 2022
    • Trainers
    • Young Rider Badges
  • Competing
    • Summer Festival & British Championships
    • Overview of Classes
    • IHSGB Recognised Sport Judges
    • World Championship GB team
    • Results
    • GB ranking
    • Hall of Fame
    • Featherlight Riding Award
    • Sport Resources
  • Activities
    • Leisure riding
    • Icelandic Horse Challenge Cup
    • IHSGB Distance Award
    • Webinars
  • Youth
    • Youth Awards
    • Young Rider Badges
    • FEIF International Youth Events

Icelandic horse gait map

Like virtually all horses, Icelandics can walk, trot and canter/gallop. However, in addition to these basic gaits, Icelandics should also be able to tölt.

Tölt

Tölt is a 4-beat lateral gait, where the footfalls are the same as in walk – left hind – left front – right hind – right front, in an even rhythm. Although this is a gait which can be performed at all speeds (from a fast walking speed through to canter speed) there is no moment of suspension as there is always at least one foot in contact with the ground. This makes the tölt very smooth and comfortable for the rider.

Tölt diagram

An Icelandic which can walk, trot, canter/gallop and tölt is known as a “four gaited horse”. Some Icelandics prefer trot, others prefer tölt. Correct training can improve the horse´s weakest gaits, but many Icelandics tölt completely naturally – it´s common to see foals tölting after their mothers.

There are also Icelandics which are “five gaited”. These horses can walk, trot, canter/gallop, tölt and pace.

Pace

Pace is a two beat lateral gait with a moment of suspension. The footfalls are left hind – left front – – – – – right hind – right front. The hooves on the same side land almost simultaneously. This is a fast gait used for racing, and some Icelandics can reach speeds of up to 30mph. Some horses pace slowly, which is uncomfortable for the rider and not encouraged. Flying pace is a gait for well-balanced, well-trained horses with good riders – it´s not generally used as a “day-to-day” travelling gait.

Pace diagram

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Jul 4
7:30 pm

IHSGB Board Meeting

Jul 9
All day

Jemimah Adams Training Day

Jul 16
July 16 - July 17

Caro Van de Wint Training Weekend

Jul 23
July 23 - July 24

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7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

IHSGB Board Meeting

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Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain - IHSGB
IHSGB Limited. Registered Charity Numbers: 1101183 (England & Wales), SC039030 (Scotland). Company Registration No. 3974594. Registered Office: Midfield Farm, Gaisgill, Tebay, Cumbria. CA10 3UH. Please contact us through the link at the top of the page.